I just got a catalogue in the mail and it looks like some of these reels go for about 600-800 bucks, are they really worth the money? I love the look of them and the custom paint, but thats alot of cash.

Wmass wrote:I just got a catalogue in the mail and it looks like some of these reels go for about 600-800 bucks, are they really worth the money? I love the look of them and the custom paint, but thats alot of cash.

Kinda like a Mercedes or a Porsche when you can buy a Honda or a Subaru that will do the same thing.

The Abel reels are the best you can buy. They are primarily designed for salt water applications, but they do make freshwater models. I have several Abels, some I have had for nearly 20 years. Despite heavy use in demanding places, they still look and work like new. My favorite Abel (3N) has caught over 500 fish in salt water from large stripers to very large redfish. Many barracudas and bonefish as well without ever a failure. My TR 2 has been to Alaska, New Zealand and all over the US on my 5 wt. I gave up counting fish, but it is shiny and looks new as well as having the sweetest sounding drag out there. If you can afford it, get one. Guaranteed for life so you only buy it once.

Wmass wrote:I just got a catalogue in the mail and it looks like some of these reels go for about 600-800 bucks, are they really worth the money? I love the look of them and the custom paint, but thats alot of cash.

Kinda like a Mercedes or a Porsche when you can buy a Honda or a Subaru that will do the same thing.

Perfectly summed up.

There are times and places where you will be able to utilize Porsche attributes, but if you're just commuting to work any old reel will do.

On the other hand, they're solid. Its a serious hunk of steel. Just don't let anyone else put backing the reel.

For big fish, saltwater for example, I think Able had great value 10-15 years ago. Today, there are so many high quality disk drag reels that are just as reliable, if not more reliable and less prone to maintenance. Having said that, Brunos analogy is dead on. However, one cannot dismiss the perceived value in the perceived higher quality brand.

As an owner of an Abel, and a fan of cheap reels, if I didn't get my point across clearly (and I didn't), these guys are right.

Its an overpriced piece of fishing jewelery. My normal PA reels are $20 1495s, my Abel BG2 is a fine backup to them. I do not need the level of quality it brings because I don't pursue big stripers, salmon, or steelhead.

I'll be taking mine to FL with me. It might be used. We'll see how the $20 Medalist holds up first, though. If I didn't have an Abel, any number of other reasonably priced reels would've worked.

As for the reel itself, like I said, its solid. Its heavy, will take any punishment you throw at it except a bulk winding machine, and requires little maintenance (back off the drag, the occasional lube for the cork). Its got a terriffic, heavy click to retrieve although the older reels were stupidly silent drag (some people might prefer this). The drag is pretty wide ranging, and has little to no start up inertia. If you back it all the way off, it'll spin on its axis all day long with no effort, FWIW?

The downside is the drawbar system seems downright archaic to more modern disc drags I've seen. Changing the spool requires removing the entire center screw and its attendant little fiddly bits, which is a reciepe for failure on a stream I bet.

Not that it matters, with the costs involved with these things, a spare spool is only for the well heeled. These are the sorts of people who can probably justify trips and destinations which this reel is suited to.

From what I understand, the lightest two series, the click only Trout and Abel Creeks, are adjustable (within the confines of click only, of course) with tools. This is also probably a major draw back, although I can't think of any time I've adjusted my clicking reels from all to anything less. Then, that might be my taste in clickers.

If fishing in PA for Trout Abel's are very expensive line holders. That said, I'm happy with my $100 Lamson Konic and $60 Allen line holders. However, if anyone would like to donate an Abel to my cause, I would glady except, because we all know Trout only want to be caught with the finest of gear.

Posted on: 2011/3/28 14:14

_________________
And as far as I'm concerned, it's like I say, drugs are not the problem. Other stuff is the problem. Jerry Garcia

I would have to think that an Abel reel is more of a status symbol as well as an overpriced line holder. Where in PA do you fish and have fish make blistering runs into the backing on 6x? Tell me because I'd love to fish there. Call me lazy or call me practical but I'd rather have a sealed drag system with little or no required service needed.

Abel = reel1494 = reelGuru = reel Abel = Guru ??

Why has the name Abel been thrown out there alone? Why not Tibor, Bauer, Hatch, Galvan, Lamson, Ross? They all make high end reels. My feedback from a professional guide and a shop owner (at a sporting show) was that Bauer makes the most fail-proof reels on the planet. They didn't even carry them so to me, that's a pretty good endorsement. Unless I sell a kidney, I can't afford that stuff. Maybe I could if someone would buy my reel under the gear swap section. :)

Posted on: 2011/3/28 16:43

_________________
Starting my second year fly fishing.... so take it easy on me!